Two-way anticreeper.



F. A. PRESTON. TWO-WAY ANTICRBEPER. AFPLIGATION FILED Nov. z2, 1911.

1,1 18,229. Patented Nov.24,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. A. PRESTN. TWO-WAY ANTICREEPER. APPLICATION FILED 11017.22, 1911.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6,5m. Y y

F. A. PRESTON.

TWO-WAY ANTICREEPBR.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 22, 1911.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

111g- JO.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

FREDERICK A. `PRESTON, HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T0 THE I. & M.

C0., OF GHICAGU, ILLINOIS, A y(30RJEQRA'.LION' 0F ILLINOIS.

TWO-WAY ANTICBEEPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Application led November 22, 1811. Serial No. 661,788.

To all whom it may concern Be it known `that I, FREDERICK A. PRES- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Highland Park, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in TWO-Vay Anti-y cx'eepers, of which the following is a full,4

j clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an anti-creeping device for preventing creeping of rails either in one direction or in two directions.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means which may be applied to a. tie to cooperate with a device for frictionally engaging the rail base to prevent creeping.

Another object is to provide a device for frictionally gripping the railbase and eooperating with a member secured to two or more ties so that said member transmits to said ties the thrust due to a creeping tendency either in one direction or two directions.

A further object is to provide means for maintaining constant the distance between the ends 0 fadjacent ties opposite a rail joint where the joints are arranged in staggered relation.

An additional object is to provide a combined tie-plate and anti-Creeper.

Further objects will be apparent from the description which follows.

The invention may be embodied in various forms.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated several forms which have certain practical advantages. I do not desire to limit myself, however, to the particular forms illustrated.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a railway track including a rail joint -and a combined two-way anti-creeper and tie-plate, opposite said rail joint. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a differont form oi combined anti-Creeper and device `for holding the ties the proper distance apart. Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section. taken on the line 3 3 of F ig. 2. Fig. l is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modified detail. Fig. 6 is an elevation of another form of modiled detail. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a combined tie-plate and one-Way anti-Creeper. Fig. S is a top plan view of a modified form of a. two-way anti-Creeper and tie-holder. F ig; 9 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. l() is a top plan View of a one-way anti-Creeper. Fig. 11 is a top plan View of a two-way anti-Creeper one member of which is adapted to bear directly against the tie to resist the creeping tendency in one direction. Fig. 12 is a side elevation thereof.

A common arrangement of the rails is illustrated in Fig. l. The rail joint on one side is opposite or near the middle portion of the railuon the other side. In other words, the rail joints have a staggered arrangement. The ends of the rails l, l are joined bythe usual rail joint 2. The rail joint is about opposite the middle of the opposite rail 3. The fish-plates comprising a part of the rail joint structure are bolted to the rail 1 in the usual manner and are also spiked to the ties 4. Consequently the rail joint acts as an anti-Creeper as any creeping tendency of the rail "in either direction is resisted by both ties. Unless the creeping tendency of the other rail 3 is also resisted by the opposite Aends of the same two ties, the ends of the ties which support the rail joint will be thrust in one direction or the other causing a skewing of said ties.I As a result the gage may be disturbed, the rails being'brought nearer togetherlby the skewing action of the ties.

To prevent the above objectionable action, I providepreferably as in the construction shown in Fig. l, a tie-connecting plate 5 which rests on two ties and/is'spiked thereto. I apply to the rail-3 any suitable type of friction grippingdepice 6 adapted to increase its hold on therail base` through a properly applied thrust. In the arrangement illustrated, the friction device 6 comprises two rail gripping members having an interlocking wedging engagement beneath the rail base, as explained more in detail in connection with another `figure. The rail gripping members coperate preferably at diagonally opposite corners Witlr shoulders 7 on the plate 5. As a result when the rail 3 tends to creep to theleft, for example, as seen in Fig. 1, the upper clamping member 6 bears firmly against the shoulder 7 to ico resist the creeping, the reaction against said member G being in a direction tending to draw both members G closely together and thereby increase their grip on the rail base. When the rail 2l tends to creep to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, the lower clamping member (i abuts against the corrcspoi'iding lower shoulder 7, whereupon the same increased gripping action occurs and the thrust of the rail is transmitted to the ties through the spikes. s a result of ther fact that the creeping tendency ol' the rails is resisted by both ends ot' the ties l. said ties are crowded lirmly against the ballast throughout substantially their entire length, whereby said creeping is etl'ectually resisted, and furthermore, the thrust applied to one end of said ties being substantially the same as that applied to the other end thereo t, there is little or no skewing tendency.

ln the construction shown in Fig. 2 the rail-clamping members G are substantially the same as those illustrated in Fig. 1. llach member G, howe\er, cooperates with a separate member 8 to resist creepinO. These latter members are preferably duplicates of each other and one of them prevents creeping in one direction, while the other prevents creeping in the other direction, both members having shoulders 7 similar to those previously described against which the railclamping members (l are adapted to abut. 'lhese members, of course, may assume various forms, their function being to resist creeping of the rail in either direction by transmitting the thrust from the clamping members to the ties. '.lhe members 8 are preferably spiked at each end to the ties by spikes J which are provided in addition to the usual spikes 10 for securing the rail to the tie. l do not limit myself to this arrangement, ol' course, as it is not essential that both ends be secured. llaeh plate, at one end, may preferably abut against one of the spikes 10. rlhe thrust delivered by that end of the member 8 is, therefore, distributed over two spikes insiemi olz one. I do not limit mysellflo this arrangement, however.

Referring more particularly lo the clamping members (l, it should be noticed that each member grips one side ol' the rail base, said members having an interlocking e11- gagement beneath the rail base, as .seen more particularly in Fig. 2l, the engagement being along a line somewhat diagonal with respect to the length ol the rail, as seen in dotted lilies in Fig. 2. 'lhese members are applied to the rail base by driving lirst one member on to the rail base by blows directed at right angles to the length of the rail, and then driving the second member against the opposite side oll the rail base. in a similar manner and adjacent to the lirst member. Either or both members may then be driven toward the other by blows applied parallel to the rail; It is preferable, however, to confine this longitudinal movement to the smaller of the two clamping members (i. As the members are driven together their interlocking walls 11 cause both members to be drawn toward each other to increase their grip on the rail base. It is apparent that after said members have been driven together as lar as possible, that they engage the rail base with a very lirm frictional e11- gagement. Any pressure brought to bear against either member in the same direction asthat in which said member vas driven to secure the wedging engagement of the parts, will result in increasing still further the vlrictional engagement ot' both members on the rail base. lt will be apparent, there.- fore, that any creeping tendency of the rail in one direction will cause the flange 12 of one member to press against the shoulder 7 ot' the corresponding spacing member 8, resulting not only in preventing creeping of the rail, but resulting also in an increased gripping tendency of the interlocking members i3. Similarly a creeping tendency in the opposite direction will be resisted by the opposite member 8. It is understood, ol course, that the spacing members 8 are not spiked to the ties until after the clamping members l5 have been applied to the rail, for obvious reasons.

From an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the [langes or shoulders 1L). project both above and below the sparing member 8. This construction permits considerable'vertical play between the clamping members and the engaging projections 'i' on the members 8. This insures proper engagement ol the parts, even though the rail should spring up and down somewhat, due to passing trains, and even though the rail should wear down into the tie, as often happens. The shoulders or flanges 12 are preferably slightly concave or cut in. See Fig. al. This minstruction tends to increase the seem-i ty of the engagement between said shoulders and theabutting portion 7, as it tends to prevent said portion 'i' from slipping over said shoulder 12 either above or below, as might possibly occur in'extreme instances of vertical play.

It is desirable under certain circumstances to relieve the spikes of the thrust due to the creeping tendency. AccordinglyT l mav provide the spacing members S with dou-ii` wardly projecting tongues or shoulders. as shown in Figs. 5 and (l. ln Fig. 5 the sparA ing member H, which may'bc assumed to be a steel plate, is provided with a lug 1? struck therefrom and bent downwardly, as shown, to engage the side oi the tie. ln Fig. (l the sparing member '8 may be assumed to be made ol' malleable iron and is provided with a reinforced shoulder 14 for a similar purlll) lll

pose. The two shoulders 13 and 14 illustrated will suggest various other forms of shoulders Which may be designed as adapted to meet varying requirements. Such shoulders may be used not only with the form of device illustrated in Fig. 2, but also with the other forms illustrated and in fact with any suitable equivalent device.

Referring further to Fig. 2, it Will be apparent that when the creeping tendency is being properly resisted by both ties, the wide end of whichever spacing member 8 is reeeiping the creeping thrust, will be put under compression, the other half of said member or the narrow end thereof will be put under tension. It will be apparent further that while Ait is desirable it is not essential that each member 8 be put under both compression and tension, when acting to resist creeping. In other words, it is not essential that the creeping be resisted equally by both ties. Consequently, either spacing member 8 may be designed to act under com pression only or to act under tension only. One way to do this would be to provide an elongated slot or spike opening in one end or the other of the tie-spacing membery 8. Furthermore, in cases where the tic-spacing feature did not happen to be` important the device could be used as an anti-Creeper only by employing the clamping members 6 and connecting them to an adjacent tic by a compression member or a tension member which would extend from said tie only to said clamping members. It is also apparent from Fig. 2 that Where it is desired to prevent creeping in one direction only, it will be necessary to use only one spacing mem ber 8. the other being omitted entirely. Un-

der these circumstances it willv not be necessary to provide both clamping membersy with a shoulder 1Q. Such a eonstruction'is more fully referred to hereinafter.

Fig. 7 illustrates a` combined anti'creeper, tie-plate and tie connector similar in general to that shown in Fig. 1, but adapted to resist creepingr in one direction only. In this ligure the plate 15 extends beneath the rail at; each tie and. therefore, acts as a tieplate at both ends. One of the clamping members 6 is provided with the shoulder 12. the other clamping member being constructed without said shoulder. In assembling the device the clamping members 6 are first applied to the rail in the manner previously described. The rail is then lifted and the connector 15 is then slipped under the rail and eventually spiked tothe ties with the notched portion 16 firmly engaged by the shoulder 12.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 8 and 9 two similar metal strips or bars 17 are provided. adapted to have their ends spiked to adjacent ties and having"their middle portions twisted into Vertical planes.k

The middle portion is provided With a slot 18. Each slot is adapted to receive a projecting wing or shoulder 19 on one of the clamping members G.` The parts areassembled with each wing 19 bearing against the" end Wall of the corresponding slot. It will be apparent from the preceding description that creeping is resisted in both directions by this arrangement. It will be further apparent that this device may be used as a one-way antilcreeper.

Fig. 10 illustrates a one-way anti-Creeper without the tie-plate feature. The operation of this form of device will be apparent in view of the preceding description.

` Figs. l1 and 12 illustrate `a two-way anticreeper in which one member is provided with an extension or jaw 12 similar to that already described.- in connection with the preceding figures. The clamping member 6 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 20 which abuts against the adjacent cross-tie 4 and thereby transmits to said tie directly the thrust due to a creeping tendency in one direction. The creeping tendency in the other direction is resisted preferably by both ties through the plate 8 in 'a manner which will be apparent in view of the foregoing description.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that all the constructions illustrated comprise a device for frictionally gripping a rail and adapted to increase its grip when pressure is properly applied to one portion or another portion thereof. Coperating 100 With this device in most cases is a. member for transferring the thrust to an adjacent tie, usually to two or more ties. `Flome of the devices illustrated prevent creeping in one direction and some in both directions, 105 depending on Whether the anti-Creeper is designed to be applied to a rail having tendleuries to creep in one or two directions.

lt is apparent that the features illustrated in connection with one form may be used in connection with some other form of device. Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the use of any one feature with the particular type of device with which it is illustrated. Neithendo I intend to limit such use to the various other forms illustrated,` as further forms may be devised.y which fall within the scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that while the form of rail gripping members illustrated is a de- 12o sirable one. I have illustrated this form simply as typical of a frictional clamping device, as distinguished from a device which moves with the rail due to the fact that it is bolted thereto or engages notches therein, or is otherwise in positive engagement therewith. I desire to cover, therefore. in combination with the other elements of the device any means for frietionally gripping the rail, as distinguished from a device hav- 136 ing positive engagement therewith. There are various types of such devices already developed in the prior art and, of course, still further types may be developed to meet special requirements. The foregoing description will render clear to those skilled in the art the manner in which such various types may be made to co-act with the other elements of the combination required in carrying out the desired function.

I desire, in general, to' be understood as having used the various terms throughout the specification in a descriptive and'not in a limiting sense, and I desire to cover broadly any suitableequivalentmeans for accomplishing the desired result, as long as said. means fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: l

1. 1n an anti-Creeper, a unitary device complete in itself for frictionally gripping a rail base between adjacent ties, and additional independent means coperating with said device and with a cross-tie to transmit any thrust due to a creeping tendency oi" said rail, to said tie.

In an anti-creeper, adevice independent ot the use of bolts for frictionally gripping a rail base between adjacent ties, and additional independent means coperating with said device and with both of said ties to transmit any thrust due to a creeping tendcncy of said rail, to said tie.

3. In combination, a boltless device for frictionally gripping a rail base between ad-` jacent ties. and additional independent means cooperating with said device and with a tic to prevent creeping of said rail in either direction, said rail being restrained i-ntirel y by the frictional engagen'ient therewith oi' said device.

4. In combination, a boltless device for irictionally gripping a rail base between adjacent ties, and additional independent means cooperating with said device and with both ties to prevent creeping of said rail in either direction, said rail b'eing restrained entirely by the trictional engagement therewith oi said device.

ln combination, an anti-Creeper adapted to be applied to a rail and ties opposite a rail joint, to prevent skewing of said ties, including a device for frictionally gripping the rail and cooperating members on each side of said rail each secured at opposite ends to one of said ties, the pressure exerted by said device on said coperating members due to creeping oi the rail in either direction. tending to increase the frictional grip of said device on the rail. i

(i. An anti-Creeper comprising means complete in itself, adapted to be secured to a rail base and to maintain its hold thereon entirely by its frictional engagement therewith, said means having a shoulder thereon,

and a member secured to an adjacent tie and having an abutment engaging said shoulder whereby said member is put under tension by the creeping tendency of the rail` in the proper direction.

7. An anti-creeper comprising means frictionally applied to a railbase, and a retaining member cooperating therewith but separate therefrom, and secured to an adjacent tie to resist the creeping tendency of the rail and to increase the frictional hold of said means on said rail.

8. An anti-Creeper comprising a plurality of members, having yvcdging engagement along a line diagonal with respect to the length of a rail, two of said members having rail-gripping jaws, certain of said members havinga projecting flange adapted to be engaged by a member other than atie to resist creeping.

9. An anti-Creeper comprising coperating members having interlocking wedging engagement beneath the rail base, and having substantially vertical projecting bearing faces of substantial height, said bearing i'aces, when said members are in assembled position, being arranged diagonally with respect to each other.

10. An anti-Creeper comprising among its members a device having a rail-gripping *jaw and having a projecting flange with a concave bearing face.

11. A combined tie-plate and anti-Creeper comprising a` plate adapted to rest on a plurality ot'V ties, and a device for frictionally engaging the base of a rail comprising a plurality of members interlocked with each other and adapted to increase their interlocking engagement upon relative movement in the proper direction, said members cooperating with said plate whereby a creeping tendency of the rail tends to produce such relative movement.

12. In combination, means frictionally secured to a rail so as to move therewith, and a tie-plate arranged beneath the rail and secured to a plurality gf' tics, said means being independent of said tie plate but cooperating therewith whereby the thrust due to a creeping tendency of the rail is transmitted to and resisted by all of said ties.

13. In combination, means extending across the base of a rail andJsecured thereto so as to move therewith, and a tie-plate arranged beneath said rail and secured to a tie, paid tie-plate having an opening therein, said means projecting into said opening and engaging the wall of said opening whereby the thrust due to a creeping tendenc'jr of the rail is transmitted to and resisted byV said tie.

14. A railroad track having opposite the joint in one line'of rails a tie plate under an intermediate part of the opposite rail, said tie plate bridgingl two ties andhaving an abutment, and a rail anchor positioned against said abutment; substantially as described.

15. A railroad track having opposite the joint in one line of rails a ymember bridging a plurality of ties, and suitably secured thereto, and a rail anchor applied to one o1' the rails and cooperating with said member to transmit the creeping thrust of the rail thereto.

16. In a railroad track having staggered rails, an anti-creeping device applied to an intermediate portion of a rail substantially opposite a rail joint, and a member suitably secured to the same ties which support at their opposite ends the rail joint, said member having a 'substantially vertical face against which said rail anchor abuts.

17. In a device of the character described, a member adapted to rest on a plurality of ties and be suitably secured thereto to maintain them in spaced relation, and an anticreeping device arranged adjacent to said member and adapted to maintain a frictional hold on a rail base, said member having a bearing face against which said anticreeping device abuts to transmit to said member the thrust duc to a creeping tendency of the rail, the reaction causing said anti-creeping device to increase its grip 0n said base.

18. A device of the character described comprising a member lying parallel with a track rail and securable to a tie, in combination with a rail anchor comprising transversely interwedgingmembers for preventing material longitudinal movement of the rail.

19. In combination with a railway rail, a rail anchor clip, Aa rail anchor mate adapted for transverse wed'ging' engagement therewith, whereby both ma be caused to grip said rail, and a plate or locking one of said rail anchor members and thereby the otherto a tie.

20. In a device of the character described, a rail anchor comprising interwedging members frictionally gripping a rail base bctween adjacent ties, and additional means cooperating with said anchor and with a cross tie to transmit any thrust due to a4 creeping tendency of said rail, to sadctie.

2l. In a device of the character described, and in combination, a rail anchor member adapted to engage one side of the rail base,

a rail anchor member adapted to engage the opposite side of the rail base, said members belng interwedged, and means securable to a railway tie and adapted to restrain one of said members from movement.

22. In a device of the character described, coacting rail anchor members independent of the use of bolts for frictionally gripping a rail base between adjacent ties, and additional means coperating with said device and with both of said ties to transmit any thrust due to a creeping tendency of said rail, to said tie.

23. In combination, means adapted to be secured to a rail, so as to move therewith, and a tie-plate arranged beneath said rail and secured to a tie, said tie-plate having an opening therein extending at least the width of the rail base beneath the latter, said means projecting downwardly under said rail base into said opening and engaging a wall thereof, whereby thev thrust due to a creeping tendency of the rail is transmitted to said tie througlsaid tie-plate.

Q4. The combination with an anti-Creeper which extends across the base of a rail and Grips both flanges thereof, of a plate located between the rail and the tie and secured to the latter, said plate having an opening therein of sufficient width to accommodate the portion of the anti-creeper which projects lower than the rail base, said portion cooperating with a Wall of said opening to transmit the creeping thrust to said plate.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

FREDERICK A. PRESTON. lllitnesses:

C. O. SHEPHERD, Gro. B. Jonas.

. scribed.

orrections in Letters Patent No. 1,111 8,229

15. A railroad track having opposite the joint in one line of rails a Xmember bridging a plurality of ties, and suitably securedl secured to the"v same ties which support at their opposite ends the rail joint, said member having a 'substantially vertical :tace against which said rail anchor abuts.

17. In a device of the character described, a member adapted to rest on a plurality of ties and be suitably secured thereto to maintain them in spaced relation, and an anticreeping device arranged adjacent to said member and adapted to maintain a frictional hold on a rail base,said member having a bearing face against which said anticreeping device abuts 'to transmit to said member the thrust due to a creeping tendency of the rail, the reaction causing said anti-creeping device to increase its grip on said base.

18.'A device of the character described comprising a member lying parallel with a track rail and securable to a tie, n combination with a rail, anchorcomprising transversely interwedginggnienbers for preventing material longitudinalmovement of the rail.

19. In combination with a railway rail, a rail anchor clip, Aa rail vanchor mate adapted for transverse Wedgin'g engagement therewith, whereby both may be causedto grip said rail, and a plate for locking one of said rail anchor members and therebyvthe other-t0 a tie.

20. In a device of the character described, a rail anchor-comprising interwedging members frictionally gripping a rail base be- Signed and sealed this 15th dayof December, A. D., 1914'.

tweeniadjacent ties, and additional mean-s coperating with said anchor land with a cross tie to transmit any thrust due to a" creeping tendency of said rail, to saidtie.

'21. In a device of the character described, i

and in combination, a rail anchor member adapted to' engage one side of the rail base, f

a rail anchor member adapted toengage the opposite side of the rail base, said members being interwedged, and means securable to a railway-tie and adapted to restrain one of said members from movement.

22. In a device of the character described, coacting rail anchor members independentof the use of bolts for frictionally gripping a rail base between adjacent ties, and additional means cooperating with said device and with both of said ties to transmit any thrust due to a creeping tendency of said rail, to said tie. I

23. In combination, means adapted to be secured to a rail, so as to move therewith, and a tie-plate arranged beneath said rail and secured to a tie, said tie-plate having an opening therein extending at least the width of the rail base beneath the latter, said means projecting downwardly under said rail base into said opening and engaging a` Wall thereof, whereby the thrust due to a `creeping tendency of the rail is transmitted to said tiev througlisaid tie-plate.

24. The combination -with an anti-Creeper which extends across the base of a rail and Grips both flanges thereof, of a plate located between Athe railand the tie and vsecured to the latter, said plate having an opening therein of suiiicient width to accommodate 'theportion of the anti-Creeper which projects lower than the rail base, said portion `coperating with a wall .of said opening to transmit the creeping thrust to said plate.

`In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name inthe presence of two Witnesses.

FREDERICK A. PRESTON. li-Vtnesses:

' I C. O. SHEPHERD,

GEO. B. JONES.

It is hereby certied that in Letters Patent No. 1,118,229, granted November 24, 191.4, upon the application of Frederick A. Preston, of Highland Park, Illinois, for an improvement in Two-Way Anticreepers, errors appear in the printed specifi'- cation requiring correction as follows: Iage l, line 28, for the`letter and Word o fadjacent read of adjacent; page 3, line 13, for the -word receipi'ng read receiving; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to therecord ot ythe case in the Patent Office.

J. T. NEWTOX,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

ions in Letters Patent No. 1,118,229.

orrect Itis hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,118,229, granted November 24, 1914, upon the application of Frederick A. Preston, of Highland Park, Illinois, for an improvement in Two-Wa.)7 Anticreepers, errors appear in the printed specifi cation requiringloorreetion as follows: Page 1, line 28,101' the'letter and word o fad-jacent read Qf adjacent; page 3, line 13, for the word receping read fr'eciving; and that the said Letten` Patent should be reed with these correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case '1n the Patent Oce.

i Signed and sealed this 15th day of December, A. D.. 1914. {SEAL} J. T. NEWTOX,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

